The body of a freelance journalist who exposed alleged corruption in India's Chhattisgarh state, was discovered in a septic tank days after he was reported missing.
Mukesh Chandrakar, 32, was a journalist known for his fearless reporting on public corruption and local issues in Chhattisgarh and his popular YouTube channel Bastar Junction.
On New Year's Day, he went missing, prompting his family to file a police complaint, BBC reported.
His investigations often targeted powerful individuals, a dangerous pursuit in a country ranked 159th on the World Press Freedom Index, where journalists are frequently attacked or killed for exposing corruption or illegal activities.
On January 3, police found Chandrakar's body buried under newly installed concrete slabs covering a septic tank on the property of a road construction contractor in Bijapur.
His body bore severe injuries consistent with a blunt-force attack. Three individuals, including two of Chandrakar's relatives, have been arrested, though the property owner and main suspect, Suresh Chandrakar, remains at large.
The investigation has revealed possible political connections to the crime, though both major parties have denied involvement.
Local journalists have staged protests demanding accountability, while the Press Council of India and state officials have called for a comprehensive investigation.
Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe Chandrakar's death.
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